Where's The Passion, Y'all?

Well, the World Cup's halfway through and I haven't sat down for a single full match yet. Within earshot everywhere, the World Cup is on everyone's lips. Not about the love of the sport though, more the odds and winnings. At coffeeshops, you see many people glued to the box, celebrating wildly during goals and keying messages on their phones. Most probably punters.

I wonder how many people here watch the World Cup for the game. I maintain that the current S'pore will never reach the World Cup and it's 2010 dream is all but a joke. The budget set aside for this dream is better off given to the S'pore referee who's at the Cup now - for being the first S'porean to reach the World Cup.

Then, I am reminded of what I see on TV. The streets of Korea were a sea of red whenever their team played. The Ukranians cheered wildly while standing and watching their team win in the penalty shootout. 8 years ago, I shared the concrete floor of a town square in Denmark with thousands of locals as the Danish team played.

You really feel the warmth and unity of a nation then. And the above teams are not soccer powerhouses. So, where do they find that spirit to laugh and cry for their teams? Frankly, I don't know. I do know that S'pore does not have it.

I was reminded recently that we used to have this camaraderie. Remember the Kallang Roar? Yup, more than 10years ago, I, a non-soccer fan, used to have dinner at the Old Kallang Airport Market and walk to the National Stadium whenever S'pore had a Malaysia Cup match. I was part of the Kallang Roar.

For those who were there, you will remember the wizardry of Hasnim Haron and Sundram, the scoring prowess of Fandi, the reliability of Alistair Edwards, the off court antics of Abbas Saad and the tank in Borhan Abu Samah. Do you feel the tingling sensation in you?

Gone are the days where you see 55,000 people converge in Kallang for that 90minutes where we stood proud. We were actually good at something, without any government body taking the lead. In those few years, S'pore was known for something other than its policies and busy port.

I was not a soccer fan, I'm still not one. But I went to the National Stadium religiously to soak in the atmosphere. To be as one.

Well, all that is gone. The current S-League is a joke. It survives, I think, only because of Singapore Pools counters. While there is no proof, what Mahathir said may be correct. Once we're made to pay/contribute more, we choose to walk. More than 10years down the road, I wonder whether it was worth losing the Kallang Roar and spirit just because of a technicality.

I browsed through an expat forum yesterday. S'pore was ranked quite badly in a Courtesy Survey while New York was No.1. The weightage of the survey must have been skewed because NY can never be No.1 in courtesy. But more importantly, S'pore too. One expat quipped that S'poreans have no soul. I fully agree. We S'poreans were never allowed to have a soul.

Well, now we're in trouble. Our leader wants us to give 4million E-smiles to delegates landing on our soil soon. I laughed when I first heard this initiative. Finally, we have to resort to this. As an ungracious nation, how would we fare in this attempt at "digital grace"? But then again, our report cards only care about what's on the cards and never how it got there.

Me? Nah, I'm not gonna be part of this meaningless farce. But if I do see a delegate behind me in a mall, I'd hold the door/lift for him; I'd direct him to a place he wishes to go; and I'd greet a hearty "Hello" with a warm SMILE if I pass him on the streets, for the Kallang Roar still lives inside me...


redcocoon

Chain of Fools

A couple of weeks ago, I was involved in a chain collision on the expressway. More than 5 vehicles were involved. The whole incident made me reflect on my life at this point.

My legs still go weak as I recount those few seconds.

It was morning traffic on an expressway. Traffic was heavy but smooth. I was travelling on the 1st lane, on the way to my first appointment of the day, while mentally plodding through my day's schedule.

Suddenly, the cars in front of me started screeching and fishtailing, very much like some scenes you see in the movies. Sensing something very wrong, I applied the brakes immediately. By then, I could see and hear the few cars crashing into one another. I jammed hard on my brake pedal and hoped for the best.

Thank god for ABS! My ABS kicked in and my car came to a standstill just about 3feet from the last vehicle in the initial pile-up. I was halfway through my sigh of relief when the next shock came. Bear in mind all these took place in a matter of seconds.

The vehicle behind me came screeching towards me. As I witnessed that scene in my rear view mirror, 3 decades of my existence flashed by me as I silently whispered, "Not now", and hoped for a second best.

BANG! My rear was hit and the impact sent me crashing into the vehicle in front, hence completing the entire crash scene.

As we stepped out of our vehicles, my relief turned into frustration. My reflex action prevented me from hitting the car in front. But a dumb ass blur driver forced me to join the melee.

On hindsight, it was clear that the driver behind me only stepped on the brakes after I stopped, not when my vehicle was screeching to a stop. All could have been avoided if he was more attentive to the traffic in front.

Looking at the aftermath, I know that my life-long passion for solid cars with doors that close with a firm "thud" paid off. Such cars were the least affected in the crash. The more common budget vehicles involved in the accident all had their front and back wedged in. I was given 1 such car as a replacement while mine was being repaired. I know for sure if I was in the replacement car during that accident, I would have suffered a concussion.

This episode also proved my point that even if you're a careful and alert driver, the one next to you might not be. So, all you bike-riding friends of mine, what the HELL are you thinking???


redcocoon

Rare Sighting

Last evening, I was navigating the winding roads in Seletar area. It was a relaxing "countryside" drive.

I did the Initial D test.



The only thing I got close to the movie was probably scoring a "D" in trying to keep my "Dao Hway Chwee" still.

Anyway, I came across a stretch of road that divided waters between Spore and our neighbours up north. I was pleasantly impressed by what I saw that I had to stop by the road to take in the sight. Men were fishing while the women were idly chatting away. Children were happily skipping along with olden day Spore as a backdrop.

Nice!




redcocoon